Review: Nightwing #19

Writer: Kyle Higgins

Artist: Brett Booth

Publisher: DC Comics

With last issue's revelation that his parent's killer (Tony Zucco) is still alive and loose on the streets of Chicago, Dick Grayson packs his bags and heads for the Windy City! A change in venue for any series can be risky, as that generally means uprooting an entire cast and trying to justify their presence in this new location. For some inexplicable reason, the one hero who seems to be friends with everyone, has zero ties to where he sets up shop. Just like when Chuck Dixon packed Dick up and sent him down the river to Bludhaven all those years ago, it really is as simple as hopping a bus. Nightwing has to be the most transient superhero in history!

To be fair, I think this latest volume has been blighted somewhat by it's reliance on the core Bat-books. While building the central mystery of Haley's Circus, the writer Higgins often got sucked into the crossover flavour of the month. Where Dick was meant to be reacting to his own problems, he instead had the consequences of "The Court of Owls", "Death of the Family" or "Batman Incorporated" to deal with. To any Nightwing fans not reading those other books, they must have been wondering just what the hell was going on. The move to Chicago and a healthy distance from the rest of the Bat-family will most likely solve these complaints, allowing Nightwing to be a hero in his own right.

Ironically, within these first few pages of being in Chicago,  I was struck by the similarity to Gotham. Not necessarily due to the style of building or even the people, but by Nightwing being chased across rooftops by the local Police. The sequence bore an uncanny resemblance to the opening pages of Geoff Johns' Justice League #1 from several years ago, wherein Batman was chased in identically framed panels by the GCPD. But the similarity ends quickly, as where Batman had the good luck to stumble across Green Lantern, who made short work of his pursuers, Nightwing is well and truly on his own. Taking two shots to the back for his troubles.

The story itself is mostly scene-setting, as Dick moves to this new city and attempts to set himself up in both his civilian and superhero guises. His hours as Nightwing are the relatively simple part, as hitting the criminal underworld where it hurts is what he does best. However, finding somewhere to stay in his off-hours is another trial entirely. Having made the journey to Chicago on such short notice, he's basically at the whim of whatever cheap listing he can find on the internet. Soon settling upon a simple sub-letting, future issues will inevitably show Dick having to deal with hiding his double life from a roommate. A genre staple if ever I heard one! Gail Simone's Batgirl has been dealing with a similar situation recently, but let's hope this roommate is as normal as they come, as I'm not sure we need another random transgender announcement any time soon.

The incoming artwork of Brett Booth is sure to be a major talking-point going forward. Up until this point, the series was anchored by Eddy Barrows' real world aesthetic, however if you've read an issue of Teen Titans recently, you'll know Booth is anything but. Don't fret though, as this isn't a bad change. Booth's art echos the vintage days of noted former Nightwing illustrator Scott McDaniel, who would always have the hero in mid-air, leaping over rooftops, pulling off daredevil acrobatic feats, even in his quieter moments. As such, Booth brings us our most athletic depiction of Nightwing since the New 52 began. He adds a few unnecessary flourishes to the uniform around the neck and waist, but I think that's just an effort to put his mark on the character.

The villain of the piece (and for the foreseeable future) appears to be the Prankster. We don't learn much about the new(?) rogue in this lone issue, merely how much of an inconvenience they've been to the Mayor of Chicago and his criminal cohorts. The costume doesn't do much for me and so far they're only pestering generic corrupt officials, ergo not the most revolutionary story ever told. I was hoping Higgins might've swung for the fences with these latest issues, having been freed from the constraints of Haley's Circus and essentially being gifted a new beginning. Nightwing's rogues gallery is especially in need of work, having been gutted over the course of several years worth of terrible DC editorial decisions. Not since the days of Blockbuster, Torque, Nitewing, Shrike, Brutale, Lady Vic, etc, has Dick actually faced a legitimate threat. But while Prankster may not be my cup of tea, I have high hopes for the returning Tony Zucco. You can't have a villain with more pathos than having murdered the heroes' parents in cold blood. If Higgins plays his cards right, he could have a Nightwing story for the ages.

7 out of 10

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Review: Batman Incorporated #8

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Chris Burnham
Publisher: DC Comics

Batman and Talia Al Ghul's personal war rages over Gotham City, but as they both seek to win, they both lose.

As the cover to my left may have already given away, this issue of "Batman Incorporated" marks what is potentially Damian Wayne's final appearance as Robin, The Boy Wonder. The battle between his parents has been expertly told by veritable genius, Grant Morrison, across multiple series, since his very first arc on "Batman" way back in 2006. The prodigy has long claimed his initial plans called for Damian's death, but the character proved so entertaining to write, the young Master Wayne earned himself a reprieve. It's only fitting the writer should revisit the poor boy's fate in the run up to his own final issues.

Ironically, this major event comes hot on the heels of Scott Snyder's parallel blockbuster series "Death of the Family", which ended mere weeks ago, with no fatalities. So to have Damian survive the cruelty of the Joker, only to die soon after, at his own Mother's behest, is the ultimate cruelty. This trick is somewhat of a double-edged sword, as all eyes were on Snyder's masterwork, no one would possibly suspect Morrison of such a status-quo shattering development in short order.

The character's final fate is plain to see in the structure of the issue. Morrison goes out of his way to give Damian several memorable moments that will leave tears in the eyes of long-time fans. Chief among them, the camaraderie between he and Dick Grayson. For a short time, Dick and Damian operated as Gotham City's Dynamic Duo in the pages of "Batman & Robin" and this is not lost on Grant Morrison. In what has to be one of best moments of all Batman's long history, Damian tells Dick he was his favourite partner and that they will always be the best in his eyes. That moment alone fills my heart with joy, so it's only right something crushing happens later. If this had to be their final team-up, it was the right note to end on. Seeing the pair of them jump out from behind cover and dive into battle, side by side, is downright inspirational.

It's with that same manic pride in his own abilities that Damian chooses to take on his insane clone alone and endures the most vicious beating you could ever imagine a ten year old boy taking. Remember how we all winced when Jason Todd was beaten to death with a crowbar by the Joker back in the 80's? Well this is worse. This is a knock-down drag-out brutal slug-fest. I have to give Damian credit, he absolutely went out swinging. For every cringe-inducing blow that's landed on the youngster, he gives one back. The Boy Wonder refused to stay down at every turn and he'll always have my respect for that. Robin earned his wings.

Of course, the scariest thing about this issue, isn't even in the issue itself. What we are all dreading is the aftermath. Just how the hell does Bruce Wayne cope with the death of his only son? This is a man who thought dressing up as a giant bat and fighting crime was a sane way to deal with the death of his parents. Therefore, I am genuinely terrified at what horrors Grant Morrison has just unleashed on an already Dark Knight. The death of Jason Todd was traumatic enough. It cast a permanent shadow over the next twenty years of Batman comics. You couldn't crack an issue without finding Bruce staring at that damn display case (or having someone thrown through it). Losing Damian could shatter both the man and the hero forever. There is no more status quo.

10 out of 10

Review: Red Hood & The Outlaws #17

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artists: Ardian Syaf, Robson Rocha & Ken Lashley
Publisher: DC Comics

Coming hot on the heels of last week's "Death of the Family" conclusion, this issue serves as a rare moment of reflection for the Bat Family. While the Joker's twisted endgame left no physical scars, psychological ones are another thing entirely. With their bonds broken and their ties cut, do the Family stand any chance of piecing things back together? It's not looking good.

Despite the majority of the issue taking on an overwhelmingly somber tone, it begins with Jason touching base with Arsenal and Starfire, letting his team know he's okay and that they should meet him at Wayne Manor. The "Outlaws" are so flippant and energetic in contrast to the traumatised Bat Family, it flat out contradicts the nature of the story. Where most people would be walking on egg shells, Roy and Kori have the social grace of a bull in a china shop.

After which, Jason works his way through the chain of command, from Robin to Nightwing to Alfred to Batman, looking for a twisted form of validation. While you would think a rebel like Red Hood would easily relate to the troubled child that is Damian Wayne, the pair struggle to verbalise their feelings, even with their recent experiences as Wingman and Red Bird in Batman Incorporated.

Starfire's presence at the Manor posed some interesting questions for Nightwing, as their past relationship has been shrouded in mystery since the advent of the New 52. But anyone looking for any serious resolution will be unfortunately let down, as Dick outright refuses to see her, not wishing to expose any more loved ones to the Joker. Just what the pair's relationship was meant to be in this new continuity, I'm not really sure. The New Teen Titans never existed, meaning they met in some other fashion and apparently ended things on bad terms. Not that it matters, as the New 52 Starfire has had the short term memory of a Goldfish. Don't even get me started on whether Dick and Roy are still best friends. I'm not sure we'll ever know. At least while Scott Lobdell is writing Arsenal as an adolescent douche.

The most important scene in the eyes of fans will be Jason sharing panel-time with Bruce...and it doesn't turn into a shouting match! As Batman and Red Hood, the two of them have been fighting continuously, ever since Jason returned from the dead and expressed his leaning towards more permanent solutions to criminals than locking them away in an easily escapable Asylum. After his recent betrayal of the Bat Family, Bruce has had somewhat of a change of heart. While he'll never agree with Jason's methods, he appreciates the results. This is meant to be Jason finally winning Bruce's respect, but I can't help feeling as if Bruce is at such a low point emotionally, he'll do or say anything to get his sidekicks back on side.

Last but not least, the Joker has left a parting gift for dear old Jason. Small tip for Mr Todd - when a psychopath has had your airtight mask all to himself for hours, if not days, it's probably best to check it for booby traps before putting it right back on your head! The cliffhanger itself promises death, but I have a feeling it's more a death of personality. Whatever the Joker has done, the Jason who found a place back in the heart of the Bat Family will no longer exist. I mean, they couldn't kill him, right? The book is called Red Hood!

6 out of 10

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Weekly Round-Up 25/09/2012

NIGHTWING #0 (DC)

Epitomising the notion of DC's "Zero Month", we're taken all the way back to Dick Grayson's origin as Robin. It's pretty much beat for beat everything you'd expect from such a story. No radical reinventions on display here. But even so, a solid retelling of the tale none the less. The only true alterations come in the form of furthering writer Kyle Higgins' running theme of Dick always looking forward, never back. There's a particularly clever scene depicting this, with Dick and a childhood friend racing a train and saving an endangered innocent in the process. The only possible downside is the ghastly revisionist Robin costume. What was once a tunic and pixie boots has become a godawful suit of armour with so many details it must take the artist an hour to simply remember what it looked like in the last panel. The New 52 has been rife with such outfits and sometimes they could do with taking a step back and realising - simpler is better.

8 out of 10

SPIDER-MEN #5 (MARVEL)

In the final issue of this landmark crossover between 616 and Ultimate universes, Peter Parker and Miles Morales team up one last time to take down the dimension-hopping threat of Mysterio. So why does it feel like nothing much actually happened in this mini-series? Over the course of these five issues, conflict has been kept to a minimum, instead being more of a polite meet and greet between the two Spider-Men. Mysterio is so easily defeated in this issue that you can't help but wonder why it took so long in the first place. However, it's not all bad, as the bonding between the two arachnid-themed heroes has been genuinely funny and compelling. While it's not really the 616 Peter's place to give Miles his blessing (what with being in the wrong universe and all), the advice he was relaying was heartfelt and meaningful. Miles has always been lacking in any endorsement from his universe's dead Peter Parker, so it's quite fitting he receives it here. The issue ends on a hell of a cliffhanger, with Peter looking into whether or not the 616 universe has a Miles Morales of it's own. I don't know what it is that he found on that Google search, but I'm sure I'd buy another mini-series to find out!

9 out of 10

 STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - HIVE #1 (IDW)

As a life-long Star Trek fan, the initial news of this mini-series captivated my interest. Unfortunately, the implementation has failed to deliver on every conceivable level. Beginning five hundred years in the future, it's revealed that the Borg have achieved their goal of assimilating the entire galaxy. Yet their quest for perfection has yielded no answers, no resolution, no peace - they're actually quite bored by it. The reassimilated Locutus sets into motion a plan to restore the region to it's former glory and like all good Trek stories - uses time travel to do it. The issue itself features a horrifying scene which can only be described as Picard calling old flame Vash for a booty call, a frankly laughable Data substitute and manages to undo four seasons of character development for a major Voyager cast member (it shouldn't be too hard to guess who - she's on the cover!). Also, if the plot hinges on travelling back in time to stop the total assimilation of the galaxy, who are these new inter-dimensional beings acting as the villain and why should we care about them when all signs point to them being a wild goose chase. When Brannon Braga left the Star Trek franchise behind, that was the best decision anyone could ever have made. Why undo that all these years later?

3 out of 10

THE WALKING DEAD #102 (IMAGE)

Still reeling from the shocking events from issue 100, Rick's group have made their way back home to the Washington compound. Last issue's cliffhanger reveal of Andrea having captured a prisoner would have typically been taken as a rallying cry, especially with this group of characters. However, writer Robert Kirkman expertly turns the dynamic on it's head. Sure having a prisoner is a tactical advantage, but they're up against overwhelming numbers and one man held in a cupboard isn't going to change that. Previously, we would've expected lead character Rick Grimes to take his sweet revenge on the prisoner and set out looking for the villain, but recent events have shaken this once proud man into apathy. Where mere issues before he was offering his military support to a neighbouring community, he's now backed down and is actually conceding to the rebel's demands (or at least we think he is). For a hundred issues, these characters have proudly taken on the world all by themselves. This issue intelligently explores the option of cowardice under such circumstances, as worrying as that may be.

10 out of 10

The Best of DC Comics New 52!

5. NIGHTWING

While reverting from Gotham City's one and only Batman back to original identity Nightwing could be seen by some as a demotion, Dick Grayson has proved just as important in his New 52 role as he did pre-Flashpoint. Kyle Higgins has been on writing duties since the relaunch and in conjunction with Batman's Scott Snyder has created the perfect companion piece to the recent "Night of the Owls" crossover event. Just as Bruce Wayne has come to find his life shadowed by the fabled Court of Owls, so has Dick Grayson. Over the course of the first year, it's been revealed that long-time staple Haley's Circus was aiding in the creation of the next generation Talons and Dick was to be a leading candidate, if not for the timely intervention of his adoption and subsequent crimefighting career. All being big developments in the origins of the former Boy Wonder and leave me wondering what might happen next.



4. BATMAN INCORPORATED

This is a bit of a cheat, as there's only been one issue of this series set firmly in New 52 continuity so far. However, in that single issue, Grant Morrison achieved more than some creators have been striving all year for. Due to the luck of the draw, he's managed to pick up exactly where he left off in Volume One. After being hounded for months by a mysterious organisation named Leviathan, their leader stood revealed as none other than Robin's mother, Talia Al Ghul. Not only is the writing top notch, but the art by Chris Burnham evokes the same pop-art sensibilities usually only captured by Frank Quitely. A masterful book that's only ever going to rise in my estimation over the coming months.

3. GREEN LANTERN

Geoff Johns has been writing the spectacular adventures of Hal Jordan consistantly since 2004. Picking up seemlessly from where the last volume left off, following "War of the Green Lanterns", Hal has been stripped of his power ring and banished back to Earth by the Guardians of the Universe, having deemed him too rebellious (whilst secretly fearing his true power). In his stead, long-time nemesis Sinestro has been reinstated and tasked with bringing down the Corps of his own creation, who've invaded his homeworld of Korugar. While not remotely new-reader-friendly, relying heavily on one's knowledge of the past eight years of Green Lantern mythology, this series is unrelentingly entertaining with it's buddy-cop dynamic between the two leads. It's only a matter of time before they have an inevitable falling out and Sinestro is returned to his villainous roots, so I'm enjoying the pairing while I can. In recent months, there have been no end of hints towards a major new story arc entitled "The Third Army". The Guardians have secretly turned against the Green Lantern Corps and are plotting to supplant them with a new galactic police force, just as they did the Manhunters before them. Jump on board now, before the s*** hits the fan.

2. AQUAMAN

Anyone who's not reading this series already, what the hell is wrong with you? Admittedly, Aquaman has always been a tough sell (even to me), but this new volume has addressed that criticism head on. Not happy to write a plain old Aquaman story, Geoff Johns has no problem pointing out how the world at large laughs at the notion of a water-based superhero. The first handful of issues are rife with situations where members of the public bombard our hero, Arthur Curry, with ridiculous questions about the usefulness of talking to fish or what he intends to do to stop a crime on land. Instead of shying away from the inherent trouble this character has had in the past, Johns has embraced it, making it one big running joke and taking the sting out of any true criticism. Not to mention Ivan Reis has drawn the King of Atlantis to be the most dashing, awe-inspiring hero of them all. Whether it be stopping a bank robbery on land or fighting off a legion of carniverous sea-life underwater, never has the character looked so good. Put aside your scepticism for a single night and read the first arc, you won't be sorry.

1. BATMAN

As alluded to earlier, Scott Snyder's Batman is really knocking it out of the proverbial park at the moment. Continuing themes he began way back in his run on Detective Comics, Snyder treats Gotham City as a living breathing entity, that just as soon as you think you have a handle on it, it'll churn out a new threat specifically tailored to mess with your head. In that spirit, it's revealed that as confident and comfortable as Batman has grown in his home town, there has always been an unseen force operating in the shadows, namely - The Court of Owls. Initially hinted at as merely a nursery rhyme to scare the small children as Gotham, the threat becomes increasingly real, attacking Bruce Wayne from all sides. Nests spring up unexpectedly in his place of business and home. The situation ever worsening, the fearful Talon assassins eventually drag Batman down into the depths of madness. Never has an enemy shook our hero's core belief system so utterly. He can no longer trust his place of birth, his methods, even his closest allies. The Court has it's claws in them all. If you were under the impression that Grant Morrison would strole back in after a year and reclaim his mantle as head of the Bat-writers, Scott Snyder stops him dead in his tracks. Where Morrison has been building his masterpiece over the course of years, Snyder has given us one in a matter of months. The collected saga of "The Court of Owls" will undoubtedly become a classic before our eyes.  

Batman Annual #01 Review

While "The New 52" reboot from last September left Batman's continuity mostly intact, a few changes have snuck in over the course of the year. Dick Grayson is back to being Nightwing, Barbara Gordon is back to being Batgirl, etc. Generally these changes have been rolling back the clock on our favourite heroes' careers, making them younger and dare I say more stylish. However, this first Annual of the new volume takes a radical approach and completely rethinks the origins of one Victor Fries aka Mr Freeze. I won't go into details, but it both acknowleges the classic origin of Mr Freeze, as established in Batman the Animated Series' "Heart of Ice" over twenty years ago, and yet spins it off into an interesting new direction that no one was expecting, let alone me.

What will most likely catch any potential reader's eyes on the stands is the "Night of the Owls" crossover banner on the top of the cover. However, I should warn you that this doesn't play into the hugely popular event in the slightest. Apart from a casual mention of the Court of Owls having stolen Freeze's methods to animate their Talons and a nebulous time frame between another Freeze-related scuffle over in "Red Hood & The Outlaws", this is entirely a localised character study, delving deeper into what makes one of Batman's most notorious villains tick.

Furthering this theme, the Annual is bookended by flashbacks to Victor as a child, visiting a frozen lake with his mother. Sufficed to say, any mental disturbances in the mind of Freeze began a long time before Batman or Bruce Wayne became a thorn in his side. I really liked these two scenes. While it had no direct effect on the modern day, it played heavily into the psychosis Victor feels towards his wife Nora. Yet another important woman in his life that met an icy end.

The core story deals with yet another breakout from Arkham Asylum (making three or four across all the Bat-titles since last September alone). Thankfully, this one is far smaller in scale and only Freeze himself, yet all the more impressive for it. Watching him casually despatch staff memebers, whether they be therapists or armed guards is quite the sight. Sometimes relying on his gimmick of extreme cold or in a surprising move, blunt force trauma. He may be a malformed scientist, but he has no problem snapping a man's neck with his bare hands.

Upon regaining his freedom, Freeze heads straight for the the man who "wronged" him and led to his horrific transformation - Bruce Wayne. In this version of events, the good Doctor worked for Wayne Industries in the Cryonics Division. Victor spent months working on a cure to his wife's condition, neglecting all the other projects he should've been working on. When Wayne finds out, he personally fires Fries on the spot. After an unprovoked skirmish, Fries ruptures a canister of coolant and becomes the monster we know him to be today.

I'm not entirely sure I agree with the decision to tie Bruce so intrinsically into Mr Freeze's origin. It reminded me alot of The Riddler in Batman Forever. Jim Carrey was the mad scientist in Wayne's employ, got fired and poured his talents into revenge against his former boss. You could match the stories beat for beat. Now, I'd never accuse a mastermind like Scott Snyder of ripping off a hack like Joel Schumacher, but the similarities are eerie.

As you can imagine, when someone makes a kamikaze run at Bruce Wayne, they're bound to run into Batman. Before that inevitable round of fisticuffs, there was also a welcome pair of cameos in the form of Nightwing and Robin, running interference for their father. Ever since Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne's initial team-up in the first volume of "Batman & Robin", I've long been a fan of the pairing. I'm glad to see their chemistry hasn't been forgotten by DC editorial in the rush to get Nightwing back to a solo hero. It was only a couple of pages worth, but a reminder that not every change to the DCU was a positive one. I miss these two together.

In retrospect, the events of the issue themself aren't anything much to write home about. Infact, it's worryingly basic. But the beauty lies in the small character moments. Being able to understand this new Freeze a little more, even Bruce's personal connection to events. Not essential reading, but pleasant enough, should you want a deeper insight into the New 52.

8 out of 10